Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney
Do you have a will? A durable power of attorney? A health care proxy? If so, no reason to read on. If not, why not? Failure to create an estate plan risks causing discord in your family for generations to Read More …
Directed trusts can be a useful estate planning tool, allowing you to place your family’s assets in a trust but benefit from the expertise of an advisor who knows more about the handling of certain trust functions than you may. Read More …
A new survey has found that motivated in part by the coronavirus pandemic, younger adults are now more likely to have a will than middle-aged adults. Nevertheless, the overall percentage of Americans with a will has dropped over the past Read More …
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders (D) has introduced legislation that would require more estates to pay estate tax and that raises the amounts they would pay. Another proposed law would eliminate the step-up in basis that inherited assets currently enjoy. Taken Read More …
Parents and other family members who want to pass on assets during their lifetimes may be tempted to gift the assets. Although setting up an irrevocable trust lacks the simplicity of giving a gift, it may be a better way Read More …
While a will is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have, there are things that it won’t cover. A will is just one part of a comprehensive estate plan. A will is a legally-binding statement directing Read More …
While it remains unclear exactly what tax changes President Biden’s administration will usher in, a new administration usually means that tax code changes are coming. Two possibilities are that the new administration will propose lowering the estate tax exemption and Read More …
A New Jersey man has been charged with stealing $330,000 from the special needs trust (SNT) of a man living in a long-term care facility. The case highlights the importance of having a professional trustee manage a special needs trust. Read More …
Don’t assume your estate will automatically go to your spouse or that your spouse is automatically protected when you die. Consulting with a good estate planning attorney will make sure you have all the estate planning documents you need. If Read More …
Long-term care involves not only a loss of personal autonomy; it also comes at a tremendous financial price. Proper long-term care planning can help your family prepare for the financial toll and protect assets for future generations. Long-term care can Read More …
If you’re planning to move to another state, tell your estate planning attorney. There are a number of components making up your estate planning and long-term care planning that could be effected. Previous posts: Does My Living Will, or Advance Read More …
Life insurance can play a few key roles in an estate plan, depending on your age and situation in life. Because life insurance passes outside of probate, it can also provide heirs needed funds more quickly than assets passing through Read More …
Whether you have a dog, cat, pig, bird or reptile, pets are members of the family, so it is important to consider how to provide for them in your estate plan just as you would the human family members. While Read More …
Once your child reaches the age of 18 the state considers your child to be an adult with the legal right to govern their own life. While your child is a minor you are entitled to access your child’s medical Read More …
Many websites offer customized, do-it-yourself wills and other estate planning documents. Although such products are convenient, using them could create serious and expensive legal problems for heirs. These digital services appear to offer a cost-effective and easy alternative to visiting an Read More …
There are many unknowns when planning an estate, but you can’t let the uncertainties get in the way of creating any kind of plan. Having an imperfect plan is usually better than having no plan at all. When many of Read More …
As an estate planning attorney who also helps through the probate and estate administration process, we have seen, first hand, the difficulties in dividing belongings. Allocating your personal possessions can be one of the most difficult tasks when creating an Read More …
Unless you’re certain your parents have an up-to-date will, as well as a big-picture plan for what should happen in the event of their passing, you shouldn’t assume everything will be taken care of. During this season of upcoming holidays, Read More …
Litigation over James Brown’s estate has been dragging on for 14 years and can hold key lessons in the importance of having an estate planning attorney prepare clear and concise estate planning documents that hold up in court – especially Read More …
Many types of property and investments pass outside of probate and allow you to designate who will receive them after your death. It is important that these designations are kept up to date and are consistent with the rest of Read More …
